Uptick in vehicle and deer collisions could ramp up springtime motor claims costs – Zurich UK

Insurer Zurich UK has recorded a 45% uptick in the number of springtime claims concerning vehicles colliding with deer, with costs across 63 of these claims made in April and May 2024 amounting to £4,317.24 – compared to £2,682.98 across 26 claims made over the same months in 2019.

These figures are based on Zurich UK’s internal claims data.

The insurer has issued a warning to brokers and end customers ahead of the average fawning or birthing season in the UK, which typically takes place between April and July.

Its claims data has found that these very particular claims have increased in both frequency and severity since 2019 across the months of April and May.

For example, after a most likely Covid-19 pandemic related dip in 2020, 45 deer collision claims were made to the insurer in 2021 over April and May, followed by 47 in 2022, 58 in 2023 and then 63 last year.

The associated claims costs have risen in kind, with April and May claims payouts on deer collision claims amounting to £3,315.10 in 2021, £3,971.15 in 2022, £4,322.58 in 2023 and £4,317.24 last year.

Zurich UK predicted that due to “rising car part and labour costs for repairs, this figure looks set to increase by over £250 in 2025 to £4,584”.

Fawning fallout

A November 2023 article published by The British Deer Society cited that the estimated number of deer in the UK is around two million, with half of this number supposedly based in Scotland – this was alleged to be the highest volume of deer population in the UK over the past 1,000 years.

James Nicholson, chief claims officer at Zurich UK, said: “The fawning season can be particularly dangerous for young deer. Deer vehicle collisions are more prevalent during this time when the fawn is left in long grass for protection while the mother forages, wandering into oncoming traffic.

“Couple this with the increasing volume of electric and hybrid model cars on the road and hitting a deer, sadly, becomes even more likely.

“It’s a very distressing situation to harm a deer. Not only that, but a deer vehicle collision can cause injury to drivers and passengers.

“During these months we advise drivers to be extra vigilant while driving near forested and rural areas, especially at dawn and dusk when deer are more active.

“Keep a lookout for road warning signs that indicate animals are nearby and, when safe to do so, use full beams at night to increase visibility on the road.”

To support policyholders with the emotional impact of hitting an animal with their car, Zurich UK provides five free counselling sessions to its customers and their immediate family members aged 18 or over.